Alright so I'm hoping to make this Darksteel story a series. I'm not sure how long or how often I will publish. I'm really having a lot of fun writing this pairing and got a lot of support for my last story. Thank you to everyone who has been reading my stuff and I hope you enjoy.

Cynthia had been very distracted throughout the whole meeting between the champions. She was rarely unprofessional, especially when she was with her fellow colleagues. However, the press had leaked something very private about her life that she had been trying to hide, now everyone was turning against her. She was happy the meeting was being held in Hoenn and not in Sinnoh because back home there was no privacy and no escape from the press.

The meeting was coming to a close when Lance turned to her. "Finally Cynthia, there have been recent concerns about your Uncle's ties to team Galactic."

Cynthia tensed up at the topic. "Yes, what about it? If I remember right I helped defeat Team Galactic and they've been dismantled for a year."

Lance nodded. "Yes well some people believe that you might have been involved as some sort of publicity stunt."

There was silence. She couldn't believe her colleagues were turning on her. Don't they remember all of the effort and time she spent breaking the team up? She didn't even know the man was her Uncle until after she had taken them down and her grandmother had told her. Cynthia was speechless. She felt like no one believed her

"Alright that's enough!" the Hoenn Champion stood up and slammed the table. "The only one accusing Cynthia is you and I think that is a rather insulting thing to say to the woman who dismantled the group over a year ago. Cynthia has kept peace in Sinnoh and I don't think there is any reason to bring this up!" Cynthia hadn't had many conversations with Steven Stone. She knew he was into stones and had a rich father. He didn't say much but had always been very wise at the meetings. "Now unless there is actual business that needs to be discussed I think this meeting can be adjourned!"

Cynthia was usually not fond of someone fighting her battles for her, but with everyone turning against her it was nice to have an ally.

Before anyone could say anything else Steven left the room. Everyone felt very uncomfortable by the situation that had just happened. Cynthia decided the best move was to quietly grab her things and leave the room.

Cynthia was leaving Hoenn in the morning. Although she wanted to stay longer, she had to deal with the situation back home. She was spending the night at a hotel in Moss Deep City. After flying on her Garchomp to the island she was staying on, she decided to go to a bar that looked rather quiet. Inside their were few people and looked rather secluded. She took a seat at the far corner and ordered a shot of vodka.

She heard the door opened and then a familiar voice. "Hey, Oliver. How's it going?" Cynthia tried not to make it obvious that she was making a glance. There was Steven Stone. He seemed less distant as he talked to the bartender about his business. She never thought Steven was much of a talker. He seemed like he'd put on a charming persona for cameras, but then kept to himself.

Steven raised an eyebrow and tilted his head when he saw the familiar face. He excused himself from his friend and went over to the bar stool next to Cynthia's. "Mind if I take a seat?"

Cynthia shrugged. She couldn't deny she was quite intrigued by him right now. "Go ahead."

Steven nodded and took a seat. "Can we get a couple rounds of shots? Thank you," he said to the bartender. He looked back at her and offered a gentle smile. "I know it doesn't feel like it now but this too shall pass."

Cynthia rolled her eyes. "Sure doesn't feel like it. It feels like all my accomplishments have vanished because of my association with a man I've never met."

Steven thanked Oliver when he delivered a tray of shots before handing her a glass. "It was March 18th when you first battled team Galactic. You took on eight thugs with just your Garchomp," he said before taking a shot. " March 25th you saved every single person at the Veinstone Department Store when there was a holdup."

Cynthia stared at him with her jaw dropped. "How do you know that? Why do you know that?" She was starting to feel a little creeped out.

"I was very impressed. I remember watching those things and thinking, man she makes me want to be a better champion," he said honestly with another charming smile. "I promise I haven't been stalking you. I just pay a lot of attention to things that are impressive."

Cynthia bit her lip and smiled before taking a shot. "So you're a regular here?"

Steven nodded. "Yes I have a home here in Mossdeep I stay at when I want to get away from the League which happens to be very often," he chuckled. "Plus Oliver and I have been friends for years. I'm even the godfather of his daughter."

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "You? A godfather?" she said unable to believe what he had just said.

Steven smirked and pulled out his wallet. He pulled out a photo of a tiny young girl playing with his Aron in her lap. "Her name is Kayla, she is three years old. We like to search for stones together and then have tea parties afterwards. Let's just say she has me completely whipped."

Cynthia's heart melted. He was a godfather and kept the girl's picture in his wallet. Her image of Steven was very wrong. "That is absolutely the sweetest thing I've ever seen."

Steven nodded. "Yes well, I love the community here, one that I'd think you'd really like," he said before taking another shot.

Cynthia sighed. "It's a shame I'm only here for the night" She hadn't had this much fun in a very long time. Ever since people found out about her Uncle she's felt like she wasn't worthy of being a champion. She felt like an equal with Steven, like all that mattered was who she was as a person, not who her relatives were.

Steven shook his head. "Nonsense," he said pulling out a pen from his jacket pocket before grabbing a napkin to write on. "My home is far too large for one person. My father always insists that I have more than I need. Sometimes it feels like it swallows me whole. There are like three bedrooms there. So if anytime you need an escape you have a room at my place." He handed her the napkin with an address and phone number on it.

Cynthia stared at the napkin and then back at him. "I think I might take you up on this offer. Thank you. Really."

Steven waved his hand. "It's the least I can do. You really motivated me last year, so thank you."

Cynthia blushed a bit. She couldn't believe that he was making her heart flutter.

Steven sighed when he looked at his watch. "I hate to be rude because I have really enjoyed this night but sadly I must go," he took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. "I hope to see you again Cynthia."

Cynthia was now a bright shade of pink. "I hope so as well," she said gazing back at Steven's charming smile. He paid for the drinks and waved goodbye. She waved back and smiled down at her drink.

Oliver chuckled and shook his head before going back to Cynthia. "Steven always insists on paying even though I've told him a thousand times he's already done too much for us."

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. She knew he was the godfather of the man's kid but she was curious at what else Steven had done. "Oh?"

Oliver nodded while cleaning a glass. "When my wife got pregnant, it was a bit unexpected. I was about to open up the bar, but was going to have to close it in order to pay for the baby. That's when Steven decided to make an investment in the bar so I could fulfil my dream while still being able to pay for my daughter and her future."

Cynthia looked back at Oliver and smiled gently. "I didn't realize Steven had this whole other life."

Oliver nodded. "Yeah, he does a good job keeping his lives separate… You be good to him. The thing about Steven is he always cares so much about the ones he lets in to know the real him. I can tell just by the look on his face he is interested in having you in his circle."

Cynthia blushed a bit. She wouldn't mind having Steven in her life even as just a friend, he seemed like a great person. She nodded back to Oliver. "I will. I promise."